The Secrets of Ancient Diamonds

In this episode of Earth SciShow, MrEarthGuy explores the fascinating world of ancient diamonds, the rare and precious gems that can reveal the history of continents and life on Earth. We follow the journey of these diamonds from their formation deep in the mantle, to their eruption on the surface, to their discovery in mines across different continents. We learn how these diamonds were formed from a mixture of subducted oceanic crust and mantle material, and how they were carried by plumes of hot rock to the base of Gondwana, a supercontinent that once covered most of the southern hemisphere. We also learn how these diamonds helped Gondwana to resist subduction and to remain stable for hundreds of millions of years, during which it experienced dramatic climatic and environmental changes, and witnessed the emergence and diversification of complex life forms. Finally, we learn how these diamonds were scattered across the globe when Gondwana broke apart, opening new oceans and creating new continents. These ancient diamonds are Earth’s wonders, and they can tell us a lot about how our planet works and how it has changed over time.